The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Saturday, Aug. 14, that the distribution of cash assistance or "ayuda" for residents affected by the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been orderly so far.
To prevent a repeat of the chaotic mass vaccinations in some NCR cities the past weeks, the AFP deployed manpower from the Joint Task Force (JTF)-NCR to assist barangay and social welfare officials in facilitating the smooth distribution of ayuda for residents, said Brig. Gen. Marceliano Teofilo, task force commander.
Teofilo said he personally graced the launching of the ayuda distribution in Manila last Aug. 11 to ensure that residents will follow the minimum public health standards (MPHS) at the queueing lines.
The Manila local government became a hot topic recently as hundreds of residents trooped to a vaccination center out of fear that unvaccinated individuals won't get ayuda or won't be allowed to go out of their homes during the ECQ period from August 6 to 20.
These reports, which circulated on social media, have already been disproved by Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso.
Teofilo said the JTF-NCR also secured the ayuda distribution in the cities of Parañaque, San Juan, Quezon, Caloocan, Malabon, and Navotas among others.
He appealed to the public to always heed the national government's call to wear face mask, face shield, and observe social distancing when lining up for the cash assistance.
"Magtulungan po tayo upang tuluyang masugpo itong pandemyang dulot ng COVID-19 virus. Makakaasa po kayo na ang inyong Armed Forces of the Philippines ay palagi ninyong kaagapay sa pagharap sa laban na ito (Let us help each other to suppress this pandemic caused by the COVID-19. You can expect that your Armed Forces of the Philippines will always be by your side in facing this battle)," Teofilo said.